The quiet community of Mataffin is reeling after the brutal killing of a 19-year-old woman in her own home, a tragedy that has led to the shocking arrest of two 18-year-old men, one of whom was reportedly a friend of the victim.
Katlego Mokoena and Lungelo Sithole stood in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 5 November, facing a charge of murder. They are accused of taking the life of Lusanda Mathabela on Sunday, 3 November, in an incident that began as a burglary and ended in devastating violence.
A Home Invasion Turns Deadly
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the tragedy unfolded when the two suspects allegedly jumped over a wall into the Mathabela family property, which was undergoing construction.
It is believed they entered the home and encountered Lusanda inside. “When she screamed, one of them stabbed her,” Ndubane stated. The young woman was found by police lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds. Paramedics declared her dead at the scene.
The quick response from community members and law enforcement prevented the suspects from fleeing. Construction workers nearby heard the commotion and alerted the homeownerLusanda’s father. As he rushed home, he encountered a Public Order Policing unit, explained the situation, and the officers immediately moved in to corner and arrest the two young men.
A Layer of Tragedy: A Pupil in Custody
Adding a profound layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking case, police confirmed that one of the 18-year-old suspects is currently a Grade 12 learner. Despite being in custody, he is scheduled to write a crucial matric examination on Wednesday, 6 November. His future, like that of the victim’s family, has been irrevocably altered.
The case has been postponed to 12 November for a formal bail application, and both accused will remain in custody until then.
For the family and friends of Lusanda Mathabela, and for the wider Mataffin community, the incident is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the shattering impact of violent crime. As one family mourns a daughter lost, another grapples with a son accused, leaving a community to search for answers in the wake of an unspeakable act.
